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EXPERIENCES IN FRANCE 

Poem by 

A. D. Minnick, Conyngham, Pa. 

Member Company I, 23rd Infantry 
Second Division 




Experiences in France 




A. D. MINNICK 



Published by A. D. Minnick 
Conyngham, Pennsylvania 



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Experiences in France 

*• By A. D. MINNICK 

^ Copyright 1920 



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SYNOPSIS 

A. D. Minnick entered the service at West 
Haven, Conn., on December 3, 1917; trained at 
Camp Devens, Mass. ; left for overseas, February 
27, 1918; replacement in Co. I, 23rd Infantry, 2nd 
Division on April 4, 1918, in Verdum trenches. 
In the town of Bouresches he was buried up to his 
neck by a German shell and hit on the helmet by 
a German sniper and escaped without a scratch. 



EXPERIENCES IN FRANCE 

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While sitting alone and thinking of home, 
In the U. S. A., far across the foam, 

And the day that I left to go to war, 
To fight the Huns upon a foreign shore, 

So all can live in peace and liberty, 
I left my home to sail across the sea. 

On the ship Mt. Vernon which sailed one day, 
To land in France three thousand miles away. 

For ten days o'er the rough waves we went, 
Sea sickness was the way the time was spent. 

We landed in France; "To the front," was the cry, 
"We need you there, to fight bravely, or die." 

Thirty days passed and in box cars we rode, 
Hiked many miles to the front, o'er rough road. 

At last the trenches! We arrived at night, 
And joined the Twenty-third, ready to fight. 

"Here is a dug-out," one comrade did say, 

"You're as welcome here as the flowers in May." 

So I slung off my pack, glad I was there, 
Just then the enemy put up a flare. 

To see that first flare! Oh, how it did shine, 
Lighted up everything, all along the line. 

"Don't move; stand like a statue!" was the cry, 
"If they see you, then the bullets will fly." 

The listening post is another great place, 

Where Huns crawl up, to stare you in the face. 

Always do your best, no matter what place, 
And to think for yourself is no disgrace. 

While in the trenches a couple of months or so, 
We were relieved by the French, and glad to go. 



Rode all day on trucks to Robert Espange, 
Tiresome, but we got there just the same. 

In Robert Espange, 'twas sometime in May, 
They sent us men, to replace us next day. 

So we were filled up to war strength once more, 
Hiked and drilled, again ready for war. 

After staying there for only ten days, 
Orders to move, came the same old way. 

Hiked nearly eight hours, to a railhead, 

Arrived so tired, thought we would fall dead. 

Rode all the way to a town called Meru, 
Everybody out, thought the trip was thru. 

And now for a long hike, to Tray-la Ville, 
With six long days, and heat enough to kill. 

Talk about hardships in this time of war, 
Makes any one angry and very sore. 

Aching to get the Kaiser, just on sight 
I'll bet he would never live to say fight. 

Time passed by 'till Decoration day, 

We were called to be reviewed right away. 

We passed the inspection all 0. K., 

And before very long, were on our way. 

To the front again, in a French auto buss, 
We rode sixteen hours, through the thick dust. 

Passed many beautiful Cities of France, 
Taking in everything just at a glance. 

Right near the front line of the enemy, 

We found the French First, with their Cavalry ; 

We unrolled our packs in Bivouac life, 

To rest and be ready for the great strife. 



Awoke in the morning at half past four, 
With just about four hours sleep more. 

Again rolled up, to be on our way, 

For they didn't need us here, orders say. 

Then we hiked many miles, all day and night, 
Before we got our place where we could fight. 

Now we arrived in the most famous place, 
Called Chateau-Thierry, with battles to face; 

Huns were on their way to Paris in June, 

Some one had to stop them, and it must be soon. 

The Second Division was called upon, 

To throw our full force in, and we weren't long. 

Thru hard fighting, and with scarcely any chow, 
We turned the war's tide easily some how; 

With the brave men of the Ninth and Twenty- 
Third, 
And Fifth and Sixth Marines, you often heard, 

Made Chateau-Thierry most famous throughout; 
While in Belleau Wood, everyone read no doubt. 

How famous the fight; "Our first Victory," 
Rang over the World, across land and sea. 

And many brave heroes, who fought and fell, 
Upon the battlefield, 'mid shot and shell. 

On the night of the Thirteenth of June, 
Relieved the Marines, in Bouresches ruin. 

Have seen many barrages, while bullets fly, 
Very close calls, would make anyone sigh. 

Our next attack was in the town of Vaux, 
The first of July, suppose you all know. 

And the second battle of the Marne, too, 
Opening the big drive, fighting it thru. 



The Doughboys fighting in the battles well, 
Have fought them nobly, with stories to tell. 

St. Mihiel and Champagne was the next big drive, 
Always pushing the Huns back, was our strive. 

Again for the great battle of the war, 

Argonne Victory, which we have fought for. 

And now that we have won the great Victory, 
For Freedom's cause and our Liberty; 

Now for the longest march of any time, 
Was the Liberation March, to the Rhine, 

And for the ones who deserve the credit, 
Are the brave fighting men, who will get it. 




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